Transect bird survey with data synthesis from multiple transects in the central Arizona-Phoenix area: period 1998 to 2000

Bird surveys are conducted along transect lines located in various locations
within the CAP LTER study area, with particular emphasis on golf courses, new and
old residential areas, and desert remnants. Birds are being surveyed by both LTER
researchers and by local interest groups and individuals (e.g., Maricopa Audubon
Society). A new interactive bird population web site is now posted. One can obtain
results for bird censuses that have been going on since 1 May 1998. Volunteers in
combination with LTER birders have been censusing birds in over 70 transects located
throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. The goals of this project are (1) to document the changes in avian richness and
abundance over time and space, and (2) to determine the biotic/abiotic factors and
socioeconomic/political factors that cause these changes to occur. We have developed
a census protocol and have started conducting bird censuses in four key habitats in
the CAP LTER study area.